Patio vibes

There’s nothing like a warm day, a cold drink and some entertaining live music to kick off spring the right way. In Sacramento, the choice number of patios and craft breweries (and one particular cidery) are enough to get people out of the house and into the sunshine. SN&R lists these five watering holes as among the best places to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.

The Shack

A large menu of craft brews from Sacramento and beyond, a covered patio and fast pub grub have made The Shack an East Sac staple since 1931. Plus, its kid- and dog-friendly. Every Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Shack hosts live music, with bands such as the jazz trio Dos Hombres, rock/country outfit 50 Watt Heavy and more booked solid through September. Beers and bites: Integral IPA by Device Brewing Co. and The Shack Burger ordered medium with cheddar and grilled onions. 5201 Folsom Boulevard, eastsacshack.com.

King Cong Brewing Company

This Old North Sacramento brewery hosts live music on its back patio on select Friday and Saturday nights, with past acts such as indie/folk band Be Brave Bold Robot and jazz guitarist Ross Hammond. There’s also open-mic nights on Tuesdays starting at 7 p.m. Owner Cong Nguyen opened the brewery in 2017 and brews his original recipes in-house. Beers and bites: Junglefest Märzen and the house Pork Bahn Mi Sandwich. 1709 Del Paso Boulevard, kingcongbrewing.com.

Big Sexy Brewing Co.

On Friday March 29, see funk band Sac Lunch perform on stage with Zintzuni Cocina Mexicana slinging tacos, burritos and hefty quesadillas. Sac Lunch is a project of rotating musicians who bring all the jams from the funky past to the present. Most Friday evenings are full of music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a featured food truck keeps bellies satisfied. Bonus: The large warehouse space has a killer sound system. Beers and bites: Sexi Mexi lager and adobada street tacos from Zintzuni Cocina Mexicana. 5861 88th Street, Suite 800, bigsexybrewing.com.

SacYard Community Tap House

Weekends are all about live music at this community taphouse where customers enjoy tunes indoors and outdoors. From blues and rockabilly genres to the unplugged sounds of folk and indie rock, there’s a little somethin’ for everyone. On Sunday, March 31, see Band of Coyotes (SAMMIES nominee in the Best New Artist and Rock categories) perform original songs. And, between sips, play a few rounds of cornhole on the well-manicured Astro-Turf or bring your furry friends to enjoy the day. Beers and bites: Relax Hazy IPA and The Sammich from Nash & Proper. 1725 33rd Street, sacyard.beer.

Two Rivers Cider

Music thumps most Friday nights with reggae on the books for Saturday, March 30, and during Grateful Mondays scheduled once a month, even more live bands are found at Two Rivers Cider in the Hollywood Park neighborhood. Its taproom opened to the public in 2016, but Sacramentans have enjoyed its flagship ciders at many local area restaurants and bars for the past 23 years. Food trucks like Bambi Vegan Tacos and more are on rotation and cider enthusiasts can sip on any of the 16 varieties on tap. Beers and bites: Blackberry cider and the Corn Fried Eggplant Taco from Bambi. 4311 Attawa Avenue, Suite 103, tworiverscider.com.